His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday expressed Jordan's “profound condolences” to the families of the victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Bali, Indonesia, which killed 202 people.



Speaking after a meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono, the King said Jordan was ready to offer assistance to Indonesia in fighting terrorism and coping with the aftermath of the attack.



King Abdullah is visiting Indonesia as part of a three-day tour of Asian Muslim countries to build support for a campaign to defend Islam against extremism and terrorism practiced in the name of religion. Speaking to the press after his talks with President Susilo, King Abdullah said that the “malicious attack in Bali is a reminder that we all need to unite in the struggle to defeat ignorant extremists who distort the teachings of Islam.”



His meeting with the Indonesian president coincided with a crucial historical moment in which the global Islamic community faced pressing challenges and called on all Muslims to “shoulder the responsibility of presenting the true essence of Islam: peace, progress, compassion, acceptance and respect for human dignity” to the world.



The two leaders also discussed the Middle East peace process. King Abdullah said that resolving regional conflicts is “critical to winning the war on terrorism.”



He told reporters that the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip was an important step in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but that all parties should know what additional steps towards peace will follow the pullout.



The two leaders also agreed that the participation of all Iraqis in the political process is vital to the realization of a united, democratic, stable and violence-free Iraq in which the rights of all Iraqis are protected.



President Susilo described his discussions with King Abdullah as fruitful and constructive.



"We discussed a number of important issues related to the economy, education and bilateral cooperation," he said. Among the top of the agenda were discussions on boosting trade exchange, the possibility of signing a free trade agreement and scholarships for students to study in the two respective countries.



The Indonesian president said Indonesia supports the Palestinians' struggle to establish an independent Palestinian state. He also said Indonesia shared Jordan's twin objectives of fighting terrorism and communicating Islam's true principles.



The King and President Susilo were joined in their meetings by His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi Bin Mohammad, the King's private envoy and personal advisor, Royal Court Chief Faisal Fayez, Deputy Director of National Security Maarouf Al Bakheit and Foreign Minister Farouq Al Qasrawi; Indonesian State Minister Yaseral Ma Hinder, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wier, Indonesian Trade Minister Marry Ba Naghest, Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Maftouh Ba Souyni and other senior Indonesian officials.